Russian GM Ian Nepomniachtchi shared his thoughts on his chess plans for 2026 in an interview with “Chess with Mustreader” on February 2. Ian cited 2025 as an example, noting that he hadn’t prepared for tournaments much at the end of the year, and that he intends to get back into shape in 2026.

Ian Nepomniachtchi

Ian Nepomniachtchi

Russian GM

“This is probably the first year when I don’t have specific chess plans. Even in 2025 I had them, despite the fact that I didn’t manage to play in the Grand Chess Tour, which I had played in for about 7 years in a row.

First and foremost, I need to get back into shape, both physical and chess one. I’ll work on my health, then I need to find an assistant coach and resume my daily, meticulous work on chess. Because after the World Cup I completely relaxed and until the end of the year I practically didn’t work on chess at all. For the Rapid events in Jerusalem and Azerbaijan, I prepared for a total of about 15 minutes…”

Russian GM Ian Nepomniachtchi (2723) has made two major attempts at the World Championship, winning the Candidates Tournament in 2020-2021 and in 2022. He lost both Title matches, first to Magnus Carlsen in 2021 and then to Ding Liren in 2023.

Credit: Rafal Oleksiewicz/FIDE